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Live by the Spirit (Gal. 5:13-26)

For you were called for freedom, brothers. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you go on biting and devouring one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another. 16 I say, then: live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want. 18 But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, 21 occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ [Jesus] have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit. 26 Let us not be conceited, provoking one another, envious of one another.

Paul reminded the Galatians that they had been called to freedom in Christ, but they should not use their freedom to behave in a sinful manner but use it as an opportunity for righteousness and to serve each other out of love (Rom. 6:18).  He reminded them of the great commandment to love each other (Lv. 19:18) and to avoid strife and divisive behavior which could harm the whole community.

Paul encouraged them to let the indwelling Holy Spirit guide their intelligence and will so that they would be able to overcome the sinful desires of the flesh.  Living by the Holy Spirit is the essence of being Christian (Rom. 8:14).  Christians in union with Christ experience spiritual conflict because the desires of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit are in opposition to each other.  Since intelligence and will not guided by the Holy Spirit have a tendency to sin, the tension between the two desires allows them to resist the works of the flesh.  If they are led by the Spirit, they are not under the Law of Moses.  

St. Paul contrasted the works of the flesh which do not lead to the Kingdom of God with the fruits of the spirit that are pleasing to God and beneficial to the community.  Those who have been Baptized and belong to Christ have been crucified to the works of the flesh.  They should live according to the Spirit that dwells in them which will lead them to eternal life.  They must not let pride, provocation, or envy dwell in the community.

Almighty God, from whom the Holy Spirit proceeds, let the fruits of the Holy Spirit be made manifest in our lives through your grace, and let our lives bring honor and glory to your name.  This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
                Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.

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